Windows makes it possible to change the welcome screen that appears when you start your computer without any third-party software, but this setting is well hidden in Windows 7 — although much easier in Windows 8 or 10. You can set any p_w_picpath you like as your background.
If you are using Windows 8 or 10 and want to accomplish the same thing, we’ve got you covered with a tutorial on , or you can just keep reading.
Setting a Custom Logon Background for Windows 8 or 10
Windows 8 and Windows 10 make this process a lot easier — all you have to do is open up the PC Settings and go to Personalization and then Lock Screen. For Windows 8, you’ll need to open up Settings from the Start Screen or from the Charms. For Windows 10, you’ll need to open it from the Start Menu.
The screens look slightly different in Windows 8 than they do in Windows 10, but it’s the same exact thing.
Enabling Custom Backgrounds in Windows 7
For Windows 7, this setting is intended for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to customize their systems, but there’s nothing stopping you from using it yourself. All you have to do is change a single registry value and put an p_w_picpath file in the correct location.
This feature is disabled by default, so you’ll have to enable it from the Registry Editor. You can also use the Group Policy Editor if you have a Professional version of Windows – scroll down a bit for the Group Policy Editor method.
Launch the Registry Editor by typing regedit into the search box in the Start menu and pressing Enter.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background
You’ll see an DWORD value named OEMBackground. If you don’t see it, right-click in the right pane, point to the New submenu and create a new DWORD value with this name.
Double-click the OEMBackground value and set its value to 1.
Note that selecting a new theme in the Appearance and Personalization window will “unset” this registry value. Selecting a theme will change the value of the key to the value stored in the theme’s .ini file, which is probably 0 – if you change your theme, you’ll have to perform this registry tweak again.
Changing the setting in group policy will allow it to persist even when you change your theme, but the Group Policy Editor is only available in Professional editions of Windows.
If you have access to the Group Policy Editor, launch gpedit.msc from the Start menu.
Navigate to the following section in the Group Policy Editor window:
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Logon
You’ll find a setting named “Always use custom login background.” Double-click it and set it to Enabled.
Setting An Image
Your p_w_picpath file must be less than 256 KB in size. It’s also a good idea to use an p_w_picpath file that matches the resolution of your monitor, so it won’t look stretched.
Windows looks for the custom logon screen background p_w_picpath in the following directory:
C:\Windows\System32\oobe\info\backgrounds
By default, the info and backgrounds folders don’t exist. Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\oobe folder and create them yourself by right-clicking inside the folder, pointing to New, and selecting New Folder.
Copy your desired background p_w_picpath to the backgrounds folder and name it backgroundDefault.jpg.
(I can see the inevitable question coming in the comments, so if you like this wallpaper p_w_picpath, you can .)
The change will take effect immediately – no system reboot required. The first time you log out or lock your screen (try the WinKey-L keyboard shortcut), you’ll see your new background.
Third-Party Tools (for Windows 7 Users)
You don’t have to do this by hand. There are a variety of third-party tools that automate this process for you, like , which we’ve covered in the past. Windows Logon Background Changer and other utilities just change this registry value and put the p_w_picpath file in the correct location for you.
To get the default logon screen back, just delete the backgroundDefault.jpg file. Windows will use the default background if no custom background p_w_picpath is available.